Pat Cummins reveals he accidentally texted Scott Morrison that he added him to a private WhatsApp group

Pat Cummins has revealed his shock at being added to a private WhatsApp group by Scott Morrison and how he accidentally sent the former PM a message meant for his team-mates.

Cummins’ surprise will be revealed in the second season of The Test, Amazon’s behind-the-scenes documentary about the Australia cricket team, which premieres January 13

In an episode of the four-part second series, Cummins is in a car with Mitchell Starc ahead of the first Ashes test in Brisbane when he discovers that Morrison has added him to a WhatsApp group called The Legends.

Pat Cummins has revealed Scott Morrison added him to a private WhatsApp group with former Australia coach Justin Langer after he was named Test captain

The group also featured former Australia manager Justin Langer, who resigned halfway through the documentary, which includes a 4-0 win over England and a Test series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Cummins predecessor Tim Paine was also part of a WhatsApp group with Langer and Morrison during his tenure as Australia Test captain.

By a bizarre coincidence, the group founded by the former Prime Minister shared the name with the Australian bowlers group chat, leading to an awkward moment for Cummins.

“The bowlers have a WhatsApp group called ‘The Legends’ which we named ourselves,” he told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Morrison nicknamed the group “The Legends” and regularly wrote messages to Cummins

The group shared the name with the group of Australian bowlers including Cummins and Mitchell Starc (right) created for themselves on WhatsApp

“Then I was put into The Legends group, which was a different one, by Scott Morrison, who was then Prime Minister, and I remember laughing with the lads and thinking I’d better not put the wrong thing to the wrong thing send group.

“I did once. I think it was a stat or a photo or a meme or something that popped up and I sent it to the wrong group and had to delete it quickly.

And the chat with Langer and Morrison was far from dormant as Cummins revealed the former Prime Minister would regularly message ahead of test matches.

The second series of the Test comes amid Paine’s retirement as captain and Langer’s acrimonious departure during “a turbulent time for the leadership of the Australian men’s cricket team”.

Morrison had a similar group with Cummins predecessor Tim Paine (center left)

The duo featured prominently in the first series of The Test, but are notable for their absence in the second season.

Langer coached Australia to the T20 World Cup and Ashes glory only to withdraw less than a month after Australia retained the ballot box.

The former Australia opener left his role in February after not being offered the long-term contract he wanted. Cricket Australia offered a deal to only take charge until the end of the T20 World Cup in 2022.

His position has been the subject of debate since the summer of 2021, when Australia lost a Test series to India at home and reports of dissatisfaction with his methods surfaced.

The new series of The Test, Amazon’s behind-the-scenes documentary about the Australia cricket team, will be released on January 13th

Two months ago, Langer reignited his war of words with Cricket Australia when he slammed some of the players as “cowards” with “an ax to grind”.

However, Cummins brushed aside the criticism ahead of the summer.

“There are no cowards on an Australian cricket team, never,” he said ahead of the series against the West Indies in November.

“I think it’s disappointing at times that the focus is shifted to off-field issues, but it hasn’t really impacted our team. I think he has no ill will [Langer] tried to do and he explained [his comments] after that.’

Cummins himself was at the center of controversy earlier this summer when he was criticized for his stance on climate change.

A disappointing T20 World Cup and poor attendance at the Perth test against the West Indies fueled speculation that the public might be put off by the team’s stance on social issues.

Tim Paine (left) and Justin Langer (right) were featured prominently in The Test season one, but are conspicuous by their absence in season two after stepping down from roles

But the Australian was quick to say the recent run against South Africa proved the team was as popular as ever.

“At the start of summer there wasn’t any actual cricket to talk about, so that became the narrative,” he said.

“The team’s ability to put those guesses aside and just get on with what they’re doing has been amazing.

“Every venue we’ve been to has been fantastic.”